The Unger Wildfire area is just one of several wildfire areas covered by the District’s new Wildfire Restoration Program.
The Clackamas Soil and Water Conservation District is happy to announce that new resources are available to landowners affected by the 2020 Labor Day Wildfires.
A Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) will provide support to Sustainable Northwest, a local non-profit. Sustainable Northwest has signed an agreement with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service to fund the restoration of many non-industrial private forest properties affected by these fires. Clackamas Soil and Water Conservation District (Clackamas SWCD) is partnering with Sustainable Northwest to provide technical assistance and landowner engagement to Clackamas County residents that qualify for this program.
The Need for Wildfire Restoration Support is Great in Clackamas County
Immediately after the Labor Day wildfires in 2020, state and federal agencies offered help to landowners. This help included resources like the Farm Services Agency’s Emergency Forest Restoration Program (EFRP) and the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board’s Post Fire Recovery Grants. However, there remains a great need for restoration.
This new support from Sustainable Northwest and partners is good news! Smaller, non-industrial forest landowners may lack resources to accomplish necessary site prep, obtain seedling supplies for replanting upland areas, and address hazardous fuels on their properties. If they are eligible, this program pays for the restoration, and the landowner will owe nothing.
Wildfire restoration work includes site prep, obtaining seeding supplies and addressing hazardous fuels.
Which Wildfire Areas Are Eligible for Support?
For Clackamas County, this new opportunity is offered to areas burned in the Riverside and Beachie Creek fires. Additionally, support is now also offered for landowners affected by the Dowty Road, Unger, and Wilhoit Springs fires. To assist landowners in the process, the Clackamas SWCD Forest Conservationist, Mike Hensley, is available to answer questions and help participants through the wildfire restoration process.
Apply Today – We’re Here to Help
To find out more about the wildfire restoration program and eligibility requirements, and to fill out an application, please visit https://www.sustainablenorthwest.org/post-fireassistance.
Mike Hensley, Clackamas SWCD Forest Conservationist, can be reached at 503-998-7026 or by email at [email protected].
